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Blue Jays trade Kevin Gausman to Chicago Cubs
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Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Aug 2, 2026, 21:21 EDTUpdated: Aug 2, 2026, 22:16 EDT
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Kevin Gausman’s tenure in Toronto has come to an end. 
On Sunday night, the Toronto Blue Jays traded Gausman to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for prospects Ty Southisene and Brett Bateman. 
Through 23 starts this season, Gausman is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. The right-hander has struck out 127 batters this season across 127.1 innings pitched and has allowed a .259 opponents average. 
Originally signed by the Blue Jays to a five-year, $110-million contract on November 28, 2021, Gausman became a staple in Toronto for his consistent quality work. Gausman and his family embraced the city of Toronto, and over his five seasons the 35-year-old made 148 starts and went 53-51 with a 3.62 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. 
During his time in Toronto, Gausman was part of three playoff teams and ended up making eight appearances (seven starts). In those outings, Gausman went 2-4 with a 3.79 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. 
Gausman was a big part of the Blue Jays’ run to the World Series last year as the righty went 2-3 with a 2.93 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP over his six outings. Gausman’s run included two starts in the World Series where he threw two quality starts, and over the course of the entire postseason held opponents to a .159 average. 
Gausman’s successful run in Toronto lands him at the top of the franchise’s leaderboard in just about every statistical category. Gausman places ninth in starts, 11th in wins, 11th in innings, and seventh in strikeouts. 
Gausman became a model of consistency with Toronto, making at least 31 starts in all of his four full seasons with the club. That includes his final start where Gausman turned in a pitching line of 5.2 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K on Saturday and picked up the victory during a 5-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. 
After being taken out by manager John Schneider after throwing 94 pitches, Gausman walked off to a standing ovation that allowed him to show his appreciation for the fans in return. Gausman waved to the fans and tapped his chest before walking off the Rogers Centre field for one final time in a Blue Jays uniform. 
In return, the Blue Jays picked up both an infielder in Southisene and an outfielder in Bateman. Per MLB Pipeline, Southisene is ranked as the Cubs’ No. 13 prospect while Bateman is No. 21. 
Southisene was selected by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB draft and has spent the 2026 season in both Single-A and High-A. Over 66 games, the 21-year-old is batting .306 with 35 RBIs and has stolen 31 bases in 37 attempts. Since his promotion to High-A, Southisene has batted .326 and has reached base at a .451 clip. 
Bateman joins the Blue Jays’ organization after spending all of 2026 in Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs. In 82 games, the 24-year-old batted .312 with three home runs and 33 RBIs. Bateman has produced an OBP of .430 and, like Southisene, he brings a speed element having picked up 20 steals in 23 attempts.
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